I was born in Poonch (Kashmir) and now I live in Norway. I oppose war and violence and am a firm believer in the peaceful co-existence of all nations and peoples. In my academic work I have tried to espouse the cause of the weak and the oppressed in a world dominated by power politics, misleading propaganda and violations of basic human rights. I also believe that all conscious members of society have a moral duty to stand for and further the cause of peace and human rights throughout the world.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Kasmiri pro-freedom leaders salute people of Kashmir

Yasin Malik, Geelani, Mirwaiz salute people of Kashmir

Srinagar, Sept 2: A day after their release, senior pro-freedom leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Tuesday saluted the people of Kashmir for remaining firm on their resolve and for showing tremendous resilience.Geelani, who was admitted in SK Institute of Medical Sciences here after his release on Monday, said, “India, by using force to crush the popular movement, has been exposed before the international community.”He lauded the people for remaining firm on their resolve and not succumbing to pressure. “We’ve to carry forward our movement peacefully. India has lost its credibility by using excessive force to crush the movement.”The veteran leader urged the people to follow the programs given by the Coordination Committee, an amalgam of pro-freedom groups, traders, transporters, lawyers and members of the civil society, spearheading the present movement in Kashmir. “Future course of action will be decided in the next meeting of the Coordination Committee.”Geelani said, adding that all the aspects would be taken into consideration before finalizing the next program. “We don’t want people to suffer. Life and movement have to move on together.”Geelani outrightly rejected the recent agreement between the government and Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti over land row. “For us 800 kanals of land is no issue, we are fighting for a bigger cause of freedom,” he said.Urging pro-freedom leadership to unite and fight collectively for the cause, Geelani said, “Unity among the pro-freedom leadership is the need of the hour. We’ve to remain united at this crucial juncture.”Talking to Greater Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, said, “People of Kashmir have won. They have proved it to the world that their movement is indigenous and it’s non-violent.”“Entire leadership salutes the brave people of Kashmir for remaining firm on their resolve and for showing tremendous resilience,” said Malik.The JKLF chairman said that till now international community was under the impression that Kashmiris were “terrorists” but by holding peaceful demonstrations they had proved that they are not for violence. “Kashmiris have sent a clear message to the international community and they have won millions of supporters. People in India too have realized that voice of Kashmiris cannot be muzzled through force. It’s heartening to see that Indian media too is giving space to the feelings of Kashmiris,” Malik said, adding, “I’m happy that entire leadership has agreed upon carrying forward the struggle peacefully.”Malik said that he laid the foundation of peaceful Kashmir struggle by first carrying out the signature campaign and then Safar-e-Azadi (Journey for freedom) across the Valley.The chairman of Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that use of force against peaceful demonstrators and confining people within the four walls of their houses was not going to help India’s cause. “By doing so they (New Delhi) made the resolve of Kashmiris stronger. New Delhi cannot keep on resorting to violence against the non-violent people. I salute the people of Kashmir for showing tremendous resilience and courage.”Mirwaiz reiterated that peaceful movement will continue and mission of martyrs will be taken to its logical end.“New Delhi cannot frighten us by arresting and intimidating us. Kashmiri leadership is committed to the people of Kashmir and will never let them down,” said Mirwaiz.He said that pro-freedom leadership will interact with cross section of the society and will take everyone into confidence before deciding the future course of action.